Water feature

Water feature
In landscape architecture and garden design, a water feature is one or more items from a range of fountains, jeux d'eau, pools, ponds, rills, artificial waterfalls, and streams. Before the 18th century they were usually powered by gravity, though the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon are described by Strabo as supplied by an Archimedean screw and other examples were supplied with water using hydraulic rams.
Ancient water features were powered using gravitational forces, human power or animals to pump in the water. Since the 18th century, the majority of water features have been powered by pumps. In the past, the power source was sometimes a steam engine, but in modern features it is almost always powered by electricity. There is an increasing range of innovative designs as the market becomes more established and people become more aware of alternate installation methods, such as solar power. The advantages of using solar power include environmental benefits, no electrical lines in the garden, and free energy.
Modern water features are typically self-contained, meaning that they do not require water to be plumbed in; rather water is recycled from either a pond or a hidden reservoir, also known as a sump. The sump can either be contained within the water feature, or buried underground (in the case of an outdoor water feature).
A water feature may be indoor or outdoor and can range in size from a desk top water fountain to a large indoor waterfall that covers an entire wall in a large building, and can be made from any number of materials, including stone, stainless steel, resin, iron and glass. Most water features are electronically controlled, ranging from simple timer actuators to sophisticated computerized controls for synchronizing music to water and light animation.
Water features often offer additional benefits to homeowners, such as increased curb appeal, home value, reduced noise pollution (due to the sound of water overpowering outside noise), increased humidity in dry regions and improved air quality.
History
In early modern Europe, fountains were found in the elaborate gardens of the mansions of the wealthy, and in modern times can be an element in urban design provided by the municipal authorities or public subscription.
Water features are often found in gardens of middle class houses.
A notable modern example is the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in London, England.
Types of water features
Categories
Natural water feature
Man-made water feature
Naturalistic water feature
Disappearing water feature
Live water feature
Sterile water feature
Pools and ponds
Fish pond
Formal pool
Garden pond
Koi pond
Lake
Lotus pool
Naturalistic pond
Plunge pool
Reflecting pool
Shallow pool/tide pool
Stream pool
Swimming pond
Swimming pool
Wildlife pond/habitat pond
Water courses
Brooks
Creeks
Streams
Rivers
Runnel
Rill
Wild river
Fountains
Bubbler fountain
Disappearing fountain
Drinking fountain
Floating fountain
Formal fountain
Jeux d'eau
Kugel fountain
Spitter fountain
Tabletop fountain
Wall fountain
Water falls
Artificial waterfall
Chadar – a textured water ramp of Indian origin.
Weeping wall
Water wall
Water stair
Water ramp
Cultivation
Hydroponics
Rice paddy
Habitats
Wildlife garden – with water-source component.
Bogs
Wetlands
Mangrove swamp habitat
Bog garden
Rain garden/bio retention system/rain harvesting
Aquatic container garden
Riparian zone restoration
Water sources
Spring (hydrology)
Seep (hydrology)
See also
Crystal Fountains
Hercules monument (Kassel) – water feature built in 1714
Musical fountain
Rain chain
Water garden
References
External links
Water
Garden features